Art Studio, BFA

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Department of Art, College of Fine and Performing Arts

115 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Art Studio?

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is the professional undergraduate art degree. It is an expanded undergraduate degree that requires each student to undertake a program of 48 credits of coursework beyond the Art Studio, Bachelor of Arts major, and to complete a self-determined body of artwork for exhibition.

Why Consider an Art Studio Major and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major?

To continue beyond the Art Studio, BA degree and learn to create, interpret, analyze, and make informed judgments about art, studio concepts and practices at an advanced level.

Contact Information

Department Chair
Gaye Green
Fine Arts 116
360-650-3672
Gaye.Green@wwu.edu

Art Major Information
Fine Arts 116
360-650-3660
ArtInfo@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Application should be made to the Department of Art faculty for admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts program during spring quarter of the preceding year. Students must be in the final quarter of the Bachelor of Arts study, or have completed the Bachelor of Arts to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

Application consists of 20 labeled digital images of work, artist statement, a letter of application indicating your goals and theme of study and a preference for faculty committee members; a grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and a transcript. The BFA is a selective and competitive program. If a student is not accepted into the BFA program, the student may reapply the following year.

All students must begin their BFA studies in the fall quarter. Applications will be reviewed at the end of spring quarter and/or during the week prior to the beginning of fall quarter. (Specific dates will be announced each year.) Following acceptance to the BFA program, a committee of at least two Art faculty members will be formed to work with the student throughout the year. An additional faculty member from outside the Department may be invited by the student to serve on his or her committee. Studio faculty must approve the third committee member.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements

❑ Completion of the Art, Bachelor of Arts course study
❑ 5 credits of ART 496 - BFA Seminar
❑ 9 credits of ART 492 - BFA Project
❑ 9 credits of ART 493 - BFA Exhibition
❑ 5 credits from:
ART 494 - Advanced Studio Seminar
ART 495 - Professional Practices for Studio Artist
❑ 5 credits of studio practice in areas of focus
❑ 10 credits of 300- or 400-level art history
❑ 5 credits of electives specific to course study
❑ Fall and Winter faculty committee reviews
❑ Final exhibition and final faculty committee review

Additional Requirements:

During the BFA program students spend three quarters creating a self-determined body of artwork. Attention is given to the medium(s), method(s), and the content of the creative activity. Evaluation by the student’s full committee occurs during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. At the culmination of the project each student is required to exhibit their completed work in a one or two-person exhibition. In addition, the student is required to submit a research-driven artist’s statement that supports the individuals own intellectual and creative achievement. The student’s final review with full committee will be scheduled during the period of the student’s exhibition. This is an opportunity for the student to discuss and defend their work.

Failure to meet these requirements on schedule will be considered as unsatisfactory progress and may result in the student completing the Bachelor of Arts degree only.

Departmental Honors

In addition to the general requirements for all honors students, an art major who wishes to graduate with honors must complete an honors senior project in art.

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements (GURS)
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement